‘Speed Week’ Enforcement Campaign Kicks Off

The Post-Journal

editorial@post-journal.com

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee announced that police throughout the state will begin its “speed week” crackdown.
P-J file photo

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee announced that law enforcement agencies throughout New York will be conducting a crackdown on speeding on state and local roadways, which began Wednesday and runs through Tuesday. In 2016, August was the deadliest month for speed-related crashes in New York, claiming 39 lives.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says three out of every 10 drivers are self-professed “speeders.”

During last year’s enforcement campaign, which was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Police issued 21,148 tickets. Troopers issued 9,205 tickets for speeding, 348 for distracted driving and arrested 234 people for driving while impaired. State police also responded to 268 personal injury crashes, which resulted in five fatalities and 393 people injured.

Speeding played a factor in 27 percent of fatal crashes across the country, according to an analysis of 2016 data by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. In New York, the data showed, speeding was a factor in 31 percent of the 1,025 fatal crashes. A total of 314 people lost their lives in these preventable collisions.

“GTSC is proud to again sponsor this enforcement campaign because reducing crashes and keeping motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists safe is why we exist,” said Terri Egan, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and acting chairwoman. “The best way to avoid a ticket, fines and points on your license is to obey the signs and stay within the legal limits.”

New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Studies have shown — speeding kills. During this campaign, and year round, we will work to reduce this kind of dangerous driving. We want drivers to slow down, put the electronic devices away and pay attention out on our roads. Attentive, responsible, defensive driving is the key to avoiding crashes and keeping our roads and highways safe for all that travel them.”